Professional Arena: ARTS-VISUAL

Dear June,
I have been using your system for the past two years and it has helped me stay organized! However this past year, things have gotten slightly more complicated for me as I had 3 types of income: client work (contracted animations), animations/clips sold online on stock sites and my website, and live [...]

June --
Sigh. I have finally come to my sense (after 3rd year of my business) and realized that I am in deep trouble. I haven't filed for taxes or collected any sales tax from my clients (I just started doing this...). Anyways, my question is I have been mixing my personal expenses with [...]

June --
My husband and I are trying to start a writing/editing/design business. Right now, we're intending this to be a side business, something we enjoy and can use to supplement our income. (Who knows what the future holds?) My husband and I work very well together and tend to make decisions together.
[...]

June --
Are there enough deductions being an independent contractor to not have to owe money at the end of the year and if so what are they? Last year I didn't have enough deductions from my business so I had to pay.
LAQUANZY
Architectural Designer
Knightdale, NC
Laquanzy --
[...]

June --
My husband is a visual artist with an additional full-time job (W-2). I am a fiber artist with an additional part-time job (W-2). I have also been asked to teach a few "how to" classes beginning in 2014.
For the past 3 years I have filed separate Schedule C's for the [...]

June --
I am a self employed designer. My wife works full time at a large corporation. We buy health insurance for the whole family through the plan at her job. Can I write off as an expense any part of that?
Thanks!
Dennis
Print Designer
Columbia, SC
Current tax law, [...]

June --
Question re: your list of 100+ Business Expenses To Help Reduce Your Taxes
under #31 you have a bullet "Performances."
I am a graphic designer doing mostly print work.
Would I be able to expense performances such as Broadway shows? Movies?
Thanks!
Dennis
Dennis@CraigheadDesign.com
St., Columbia SC
[...]

Now that I've met the April deadline with my clients -- most of whom are on extension, by the way -- I am attempting to answer as many of your questions as I can. I do read every question you send me. Please know that there is no way I can keep up with all [...]

From Joyce:
My husband is a part time minister in a small rural church. He does not maintain an office at the church, but does the majority of work from home, ie. study time, phone calls etc. He drives to the church twice a week (93 miles roundtrip) to officiate services. Is the mileage from [...]

June --
You ask: Where do you get most of your tax advice? Nobody yet, I came across this after speaking with my main clients about taxes and am eager to make sure I'm getting the most out of what I am selling... ME!
I am a designer by profession now for 3 [...]

June --
I am reading your book and one of the things I was really hoping to get clarity on still isn't very clear to me after reading. If it is isn't too much of an imposition, I would love your opinion as it seems pretty grey.
I am a freelance art director/designer/marketing [...]

June --
I am in the process of finding a new accountant for my business and personal taxes. I have an appointment with a new one this week, but want to get as much information as possible from more than one source.
I own an LLC that is wholly mine. (My husband owns [...]

The questions below about deducting auto expense were sent to me by our fellow indies. Here's a really simple answer to all of them: You may deduct the cost of going from one work location to another. A work location is any place you must be for your work.
Check out [my bracketed notes] [...]

Dear June,
First I would like to say thank you for sharing your tax expertise with so many. We need the help! Especially me. This is my first year working my own business and I'm quite lost with tallying up all the business expenses and which ones I can tally up being [...]

June --
I do any sort of 'design' job someone ask for. Initially schooled in graphic design (pre-computer) then fell into Photostyling. That led to jobs that required architectural drawing know how, and took that to do home remodels and interior design. Have taught myself computer graphics and do some of that now too. [...]

Hi June,
Since 1980 my husband and I have had two home-based businesses, plus he works from a home office for his job with the state.
We jointly own both businesses. The appraisal & consulting has never lost money and has very low expenses. I haven't done any appraisal or assessment work since [...]

Hi June,
I attended your session at CFC last year. I'm a Chicago graphic designer (sole prop) and have been in business for 10 years. I recently got married and am wondering if you have any specific advice regarding how to approach taxes now that I'm married (I checked your website but didn't see [...]

Dearest June ,hello my name is sara, i am a mixed media artist living and working in new york but selling my work all over the world and getting taxed like crazy in new york.. I'm getting taxed like 30% ..and i feel like i don't know my rights and am getting raped as a [...]

June,
My husband is an Union Electrician and I am a self-employed JAMMON (jack of many - master of none) who works from home with my S-Corp - run solely by myself with the occasional help from a consultant. Due to the lack of construction work in the Indianapolis area (the last 18 months) [...]

June --
I have been a freelance graphic designer for more than 2 years. I live in Boulder, Colorado.
I belong to several networking groups. I joined the groups to meet others in my field, help find potential clients, and to learn about running my business from other business people. Some groups have [...]

June --
I have a question. I teach Metal Clay classes (making fine silver jewelry from silver in clay form). I charge $85 fee which includes $35 for supplies. What portion of this do I have to pay tax on as income. I am assuming I would just claim $50 as income but I [...]

Hi June,
I'm a jewelry artist -- three years.
I've decided to take the plunge and start applying to do outdoor art festivals. I have to buy a camper shell for my truck to haul all the required paraphernalia (protect from weather and thieves!). Since the truck is also for personal use, I [...]

Hi June!
Graphic Designer ... 3 years.
I'm in the process of reading your book, Self-employed TAX Solutions fabulous resource!
I have a question for you. I have a restaurant client that has wonderful food, around the holidays I typically will ask them for a few gift cards and sometimes food for my [...]

Dear June,
My daughter is a free-lance visual artist in New York City, who spends about $100 a month for a subway pass that entitles her to unlimited trips. The primary use of the pass is to get to work, but it is also used for personal transportation. Is there any way she can [...]

Hi June,
I'm typographer, graphic artist for 10+ years.
What a great website and I will look at your books/CDs.
I have a question. I make fonts. Other people sell my fonts on their websites. They send me royalty checks. Do I pay self employment tax on that royalty income? Most of [...]

June --
I am from Long Island City (Queens), NY I am an Information Architect/Interaction Designer (web development) I have been independent (1099 sole proprietor) less than one year.
I am wondering if you could advise me on issues surrounding a retirement fund. I am interested in the Freelancers Insurance 401k plan. The [...]

Hi June,
Just wanted to make a comment about your advice about separate checking accounts for a small business. I think you are right on the money to make this suggestion. As someone who has been self employed for 14 yrs I had always heard and been given the advice that you should separate [...]

This is from Jess and came as a comment to my post Designers Dozen: Tax Saving Tips for the Graphic Artist. Since it is typical of questions I receive from recent graduates I decided to give it more attention.
Graphic design students head out upon graduation, most of them toward freelancing, without a clue [...]

Hi June,
I have been a fan for years and have recommended your very informative book + websiteto several other artists too. You have very generously answered a question I had in the past and now I have another:
For the first time my husband and I filed for an extension this year [...]

Use may use your Social Security Number as your sole proprietorship's identifying number, unless:
You must withhold taxes from a subcontractor you've hired.
You hire one or more employees.
You set up a self-employed retirement plan (does not include a SEP).
You are an LLC
You deal in products that require you to [...]

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